True Heiress Returns to Her Unemployed Rich Family (Arabella) novel Chapter 378

Chapter 378 Ruby’s Feigned Repentance

Chapter 378 Ruby’s Feigned Repentance

The sun was dipping below the horizon, draping the sky in the muted hues of dusk.

Arabella returned to Cloudrise Manor.

“Arabella, you’re back,” Florence greeted her with a warm smile. “Come, join us.”

“Mom.” Arabella returned the smile and walked over to the living room sofa. Seeing the whole family gathered, she offer general greeting. “Dad. Ethan. Alfred.”

Her gaze then swept past Naomi and settled finally on Ruby.

Ruby offered a polite, practiced smile. “Arabella, you’re home.”

The corner of Arabella’s mouth lifted in a barely perceptible smirk. She’s gotten better at this game.

“Mm,” she acknowledged with a slight nod before taking a seat.

“Arabella, I swung by your office around lunchtime, but you weren’t there,” Alfred mentioned.

“I stepped out for a bit,” Arabella explained casually. “Had lunch with a friend and then checked out a new art exhibit down

“Ah, I see,” Alfred said. “I thought about asking you to grab a bite, but figured you were tied up, so I didn’t call.”

Arabella’s smile softened. “Alfred, you really should have called. I’d have made time.”

“Next time I’m in the neighborhood, I’ll call first,” Alfred promised.

“Do you visit Arabella’s office often, Alfred?” Ruby asked, her tone light and conversational.

“Whenever I get a chance, sure,” Alfred replied.

Ruby feigned a sigh. “That’s nice. Not like me–when I’m free, my only option is to bother Naomi.”

“That doesn’t sound so bad,” Arabella remarked flatly. “At least you have an option.”

Ruby was momentarily stunned, her pleasant expression freezing.

“Oh, Ruby, don’t say that,” Naomi interjected, playing the peacemaker. “I’m sure Arabella wouldn’t mind if you visited her, too.”

Arabella, however, didn’t play along. “Actually, I would mind.”

She had no interest in pretending. A distant civility was fine by her–as long as they stayed out of her way, she couldn’t be bothere to invest any energy in them.

Ruby’s eyes instantly welled up. “Arabella… are you still angry with me?”

Arabella shot her a sidelong glance. “You know, the whole ‘wounded bird‘ routine doesn’t really work on you. It’s exhausting for everyone. You can drop the act”

A snort of laughter escaped Alfred before he could stifle it.

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Chapter 378 Ruby’s Feigned Repentance

Ethan said nothing, but his expression shifted uncomfortably.

Ruby flushed, then paled, her eyes flashing with anger. “You-!”

Even in her fury, a sliver of restraint held her back.

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“Arabella, you’ve misunderstood me,” she said, her nails digging into her palms. “I truly know I was wrong before. Can’t you find in your heart to forgive me?”

Watching her double down on the performance, Arabella simply gave a cool, dismissive look and turned her attention away.

Fine, keep acting. I just won’t watch.

“Ruby, I think you’re the one misunderstanding,” Florence said gently. “Arabella isn’t holding a grudge.”

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‘Really?” Ruby’s eyes held a flicker of hope. “Then… would it be okay if I visited you at your office sometime, Arabella?”

“Ruby, dear, perhaps it’s best not to impose on Arabella so soon,” Florence advised kindly but firmly. “She’s only been settling in f

a little while, and the two of you are still getting acquainted. Naomi’s place is a perfectly fine spot for you to visit.”

Ruby bowed her head obediently. “Oh, I understand. Thank you, Aunt Florence.”

Arabella raised a brow, genuinely intrigued. Ruby had changed; she could swallow her pride even now?

A faint, icy smile touched Arabella’s lips. Let’s see how long you can keep this up.

“Ethan, any word from Frank?” Arabella asked, turning to her brother.

“He’s been swamped with work, but he’ll be back in a couple of days for Naomi’s birthday party,” Ethan replied. “Did you need him for something?”

“No, nothing urgent,” Arabella said, a softer smile appearing. “I just haven’t seen him lately and was starting to miss him, that’s all.”

“Who’s missing me?!” A familiar voice boomed from the hallway.

Everyone turned, Frank was striding into the room, a travel bag slung over his shoulder.

“Frank!” Arabella sounded pleasantly surprised. “You’re back already!”

Reaching the living room, Frank looked around at the assembled family, a mock–serious expression on his face. “Wow, full house. Did you all get a memo I was coming?”

“Hardly,” Alfred chuckled. “Just a coincidence.”

“So… is everything okay?” Frank’s tone grew slightly more serious.

Florence laughed. “Everything’s fine, honey. We all just happened to be home early today.”

“Got it,” Frank said, visibly relaxing. He turned to his parents. “Mom, Dad, Naomi’s birthday is coming up. Is everything set for the party?”

“All arranged,” Florence confirmed warmly.

Naomi, her eyes shining, looked at Frank. “Frank… did you come back early just for my

birthday?”

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Chapter 378 Ruby’s Feigned Repentance

That someone in the family would remember–would adjust their plans for her–felt almost unreal.

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“Of course I wasn’t going to miss your party,” Frank said, his eyes crinkling with a warm, brotherly affection.

“Thank you, Frank,” Naomi murmured, her voice catching as she deliberately dabbed at the corner of her eye.

Frank looked puzzled. “Hey, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing,” she said, shaking her head and offering a watery smile. “I’m just… really touched.”

Arabella watched Naomi’s display coolly, a silent scoff echoing in her mind.

What is her deal?

Florence and Jonathan had been planning this celebration for weeks, and that hadn’t seemed to move her. But Frank simply coming home early was enough to bring her to tears?